CONSULTING & INNOVATION - UNITY Consulting & Innovation
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CONSULTING & INNOVATION
1
Innovation &
Digital Transformation
UNITY is the management consultancy for innova-
tion and digital transformation. Our customers be-
come digitalization winners. We drive their inno-
vative strength and operational excellence. UNITY
combines an in-depth understanding of technology
and the competencies that are required for success-
ful digital transformation: We innovate, integrate
and transform. Both, midsize companies and glob-
al players profit from our expertise and more than
20 years of digitalization experience. With 250
employees worldwide, we are present at 15 loca-
tions and lead projects around the globe. 3
New subsidiary in
Mio.
in revenue
euros Frankfurt
BEST OF CONSULTING
AWARD 2018
from Wirtschaftswoche in
the category Digitalization
INTERNATIONAL
250
Employees across
BUSINESS EXPANSION 15 locations
Switzerland and China worldwide
TOP EMPLOYER 2019
Focus and kununu
award UNITY
New Book
Expertise published
once again about product innovation
Publication Series
DIGITALIZATION PIONEER
UNITY customers are digital OPPORTUNITY
leaders in their industries Valued by decision makers
Contents
Foreword by the Supervisory Board 7
Foreword by the Executive Board 8
UNITY Consulting Approach 11
Consulting Services 12
UNITY Innovation Alliance 14
Industries 16
Project References 18
Customer Statements 38
Corporate Culture and Leadership 43
UNITYacademy 45
UNITY as an Employer 46
UNITY Worldwide 48
UNITY Consulting Integration Platform 51
UNITY Beteiligungs AG and Company Builder 52
Partner Network 53
Corporate Social Responsibility 54
Awards 55
Publications 56
5
Recognize opportunities,
master challenges and
shape the future
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Gausemeier Prof. Dr. Gerhard Picot Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dieter Schacher
(Chairman) (Vice Chairman)
FOREWORD BY THE SUPERVISORY BOARD
The continuing digitalization of the economy and formance. UNITY will always be a particularly
the dynamic developments in competitive arenas attractive partner when it comes to the strategic
that are associated are posing new challenges development of a company, the development of
to companies; there are considerable threats to products and services for tomorrow‘s markets
today’s businesses, yet fascinating opportunities and the demand for intelligent solutions for chal-
to shape the future of the company. Two aspects lenging business processes. UNITY is in control
are particularly important for our customers: in- of the path from the early business idea to mar-
novative, strategically based products, services ket success. UNITY‘s customers include 21 of the
and business models, as well as highly efficient DAX 30 companies as well as many well-known
business processes. midsize companies in mechanical engineering,
the electronics industry, process engineering and
UNITY has achieved a leading position in the key medical technology.
areas of Industrie 4.0, platform economy, artifi-
cial intelligence, data-driven services, business Since its founding in 1995, UNITY has developed
model innovations, systems engineering for in- extraordinarily well, independently and always
telligent networked systems and IT management. at the pulse of the times. UNITY is an extremely
The company‘s success is based on its customer well-managed company that meets the expec-
projects, the high level of its employee expertise tations of its stakeholders fairly. All of the foun-
and the close ties it maintains with the scientif- dations have been set for the path to a future
ic community. For example, UNITY cooperates shaped by digitalization.
with the Heinz Nixdorf Institute, the Fraunhofer
Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design and
acatech − the National Academy of Science and
Engineering. It is also involved with the leading
edge, “Intelligent Technical Systems Ostwest- The Supervisory Board, December 2018
falen-Lippe (it´s OWL)“, the Industrie 4.0 Platform Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Gausemeier (Chairman)
and the International Data Spaces Association.
This results in knowledge about new technol-
ogies and its possible applications − technolo-
gies that allow new markets to emerge and that 7
will have a decisive impact on tomorrow‘s per-
FOREWORD BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD We are living in a truly amazing time. In all areas stakeholders, develop the necessary software of life, we are experiencing incredible changes and hardware competencies, in particular for through digital technologies. What has already artificial intelligence, systems engineering and changed communication and consumer behavior, electronics. These other companies in the UNI- is changing almost all business processes. TY Innovation Alliance have already generated Our challenge is to optimally design this digital sales of € 13 million in 2018 with 120 employees. transformation for our customers, as we look We have recently published “Digital Innovation“ back on 23 years of consulting for innovation & and “Change Management in the Digital Age“ digital transformation. From the very beginning, in OPPORTUNITY, our series of publications, as we have supported companies in the proper use well as the book “Innovationen für die Märkte of information technology and adapted their pro- von morgen“ (Innovations for Tomorrow's Mar- cesses. We want IT to be applied sensibly and kets), which enable our customers to benefit from efficiently. We are very pleased to have been our expertise in methodology. identified as a pioneer in digitalization in the We are proud of our latest awards: “Best of consulting business. Consulting“ in the Digitalization category by Our aspiration to be innovator, integrator and Wirtschaftswoche and “Top Midsize Employer transformer is recognized by our customers. With 2019“ by Focus and the employer evaluation 16 % growth, we can look back on a successful portal, kununu. financial year in 2018. With 250 employees at 15 locations, we generated sales of € 40 million We would like to thank everyone for their loyalty in Germany and abroad. and cooperation, and hope you enjoy reading Starting on page 20, you will find nine current this annual report. project stories that will give you insights into the diversity of our customers and consulting services. The Executive Board, January 2019 We thank you for the many statements about our work. Achieving success in a digital world of the fu- ture also includes implementing digital solutions. Stephan Bille Tomas Pfänder Therefore, we have formed the UNITY Innovation Alliance. NEXT Data Service, CP contech elec- tronic and Smart Mechatronics, in which we are Christoph Plass Dr.-Ing. Frank Thielemann
Our clients realize
digital transformation
successfully
9
Stephan Bille Tomas Pfänder Christoph Plass Dr.-Ing. Frank Thielemann
UNITY Consulting Approach
for Digital Transformation
INNOVATOR INTEGRATOR TRANSFORMER
We provide impulses We integrate all competencies and We enable transformation and
for innovation and hierarchies that are necessary support implementation.
operative excellence. for successful projects.
Traditional Consulting Approaches in the Market
Strategy Organizational Digital Industry/Topic
IT Consultants
Consultants Consultants Agencies SpecialistsTHE UNITY CONSULTING APPROACH
UNITY offers its customers comprehensive consulting services for digital
change. The advantage is that key competencies all come from one source.
Traditional consulting approaches, such as pure IT consulting, fall short
of the complex challenges that digital transformation presents. UNITY,
however, combines an in-depth understanding of technology and the com-
petencies that are required for successful digital transformation: We inno-
vate, integrate and transform.
Innovator
We provide impulses for innovation and operative excellence. Together
with our customers, we develop innovative solutions for your digital trans-
formation such as future-oriented services and products, smart factories or
innovative business models. With our industry, technology and methodolo-
gy experts, we put the best teams together to meet customer needs.
Integrator
We combine top-down and bottom-up approaches and integrate all the
competencies and hierarchical levels that are necessary for project suc-
cess. By working in close cooperation with our customers, we are successful
in operationalizing their strategic goals.
Transformer
We empower our customers to conduct successful transformation processes
and we support the implementation. UNITY customers particularly appre-
ciate our hands-on mentality. We empower their team and are focused on
achieving their individual goals.
11CONSULTING SERVICES
Idea to Order
Foresight | Innovation | Business Ecosystems | Product & Service
Systems Engineering | Innovation
Customer Experience & Sales
Order to Delivery
Supply Chain | Value Network |
Connected Production | Digital Twin |
Smart Technologies | Cobotics Smart
Digitalization &
Factory &
Technology
Enterprise Architecture & Logistics
Process Automation
IoT | Data Analytics | Artificial Intelligence |
Cyber Security | IT Management
New Work
UNITYacademy
Enablement | Leadership | Change |
Agility | Transformation | Project Management
Companies are facing the challenge of position- New Work: We enable our customers to achieve
ing themselves for the future in the following four sustainable and successful digital transformation
action areas. Our consulting services cover all by initiating necessary changes in their leadership
four areas: and culture. Topics such as agility and change
Idea to Order: We create innovations together: management are at the top of the agenda.
We use targeted systems engineering and design
business ecosystems as well as customer experi- UNITY has expertise in Product & Service Inno-
ence. vation, Smart Factory & Logistics, Digitalization
Order to Delivery: We support our customers in & Technology. Our targeted consulting services
designing the entire supply chain efficiently and and competence development at the UNITYacad-
understanding value-added networks by using emy enable our customers to emerge as winners
new technologies. of digital change. We support them on their indi-
Enterprise Architecture & Process Automation: vidual path to innovation and digital transforma-
Our consulting services help to utilize data intelli- tion, and make them successful.
gently in topics such as IoT, data analytics, AI or
cyber security as well as design a continuous and
secure IT landscape.Innovation & We make
Digital
Transformation our customers
successful
13UNITY INNOVATION ALLIANCE Comprehensive Expertise for Digitalization Challenges The changes that a company under- expertise in a unique way. Consisting goeson its path to digital transformation of UNITY, NEXT Data Service, Smart are diverse and serious − especially in Mechatronics and CP contech elec- light of the constantly increasing dynam- tronic, the Innovation Alliance supports ics in this competitive arena. In order to companies with continuous expertise in master these challenges, new compe- the digitalization of business models, tencies and know-how in new subject and products and services − from con- areas are needed. The UNITY Inno- ception to implementation. vation Alliance bundles this required Success Story A notable success story from the UNITY Innovation Alliance is the develop- ment of an intelligent service portfolio for real-time production and plant monitoring at the FRITSCH Group. As a result of this project, FRITSCH received the iba award for innovative hardware developments in bakery en- gineering and technology. Read more about it in our reference on page 36.
UNITY
▪▪ Product & S ervice Innovation
▪▪ Smart F actory & Logistics
▪▪ Digitalization & Technology NEXT DATA SERVICE
▪▪ UNITYacademy ▪▪ Data & Service Strategy
▪▪ Prototypes/MVP Development
▪▪ Data Driven Services
CONSULTING & INNOVATION
Management
Consulting
Data Service
Development
INNOVATION
ALLIANCE
Product sof tware . hardware . produktion .
Development
Intelligent
Electronics
SMART MECHATRONICS
▪▪ Systems Engineering
CP CONTECH ELECTRONIC
▪▪ Development Partner
▪▪ Product Development
▪▪ Technology Consulting
▪▪ Prototype Construction
▪▪ Series Production
15OUR EXPERTISE
© AUDI AG
Automotive
Chemicals
Energy
Healthcare
Aviation and
Aerospace
Machinery and Plant
Engineering
Pharmaceuticals and
Medical TechnologyWe
lead
projects
to success 17IMPLEMENT DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
SUCCESSFULLY
Business models and processes will change radi- selected projects in detail on the following pag-
cally in the coming years – and so will the entire es. Despite the diversity, all projects are united by
value chain. Our customers know this and there- the guiding principle of identifying and exploiting
fore, they are actively shaping these changes. the opportunities that are offered by new tech-
The graphic illustrates the diversity of our success- nologies. UNITY‘s customers have recognized the
ful customer projects – both in terms of digitali- signs of the times and can already demonstrate
zation topics and also industries. We present the success on their path to digital transformation.
Worldwide PLM System
Future Scenarios in the
Replacement
FMCG Industry
p.30
p.34
Conception and Implementation
of a Platform Business Model
in the Smart Home Sector
p.26
Smart Intra-Hospital Patient
Transfers by Digitalizing
Process
p.28Project
References
Dig
on i
tal
ti
Automa
Data
Co
n n e c ti v it y
Defining IT/OT Roles as a
Prerequisite for Digitalization Digital Factory Planning
in Production p.32
p.20
Development of Intelligent
Data-based Services for
Manufacturing Facilities
p.36
Consistent Digitalization
of the Supply Chain
p.22
Logistics Automation
p.24 19BAYER
Bayer is a life science company with
over 150 years of history and core
competencies in the fields of health-
care and agriculture. With its inno-
vative products, Bayer contributes to
solving the greatest challenges of our
time. In 2017, the Bayer Group had
99,800 employees worldwide and
generated sales of EUR 35 billion.
© Photo: BAYER
”An important prerequisite for digital transformation in production is the
synergy between IT and OT. UNITY’s expertise and strength in implemen-
tation helped us to successfully refine IT/OT roles and responsibilities.
Therefore, we have taken an important step towards closer and more efficient
cooperation between IT and OT.”
Johannes Schubmehl, Head of IT Functional Leadership, Bayer AGDEFINING IT/OT ROLES AS A
PREREQUISITE FOR DIGITALIZATION
IN PRODUCTION
Clear roles and Increased efficiency
Global rollout at
responsibilities for in IT/OT
13 pilot locations
IT and OT cooperation
A strategic goal for Bayer AG is to maximize its innovative strength. An important
driver of innovation is the increasing digitalization in production. New technol-
ogies and the automation of processes are significant enablers of Industrie 4.0.
In addition to technical and process transformation, it is also essential to
consider framework conditions related to the organization. Bayer realized this
and set a goal to achieve IT/OT alignment in the organization. Together with
UNITY, cross-functional, central and local IT/OT roles and responsibilities were
defined and validated internationally at selected pilot locations. Based on each
location’s current situation, individual measures were defined to successfully
implement these roles. The lean, efficient and methodological approach has
established itself as a global standard for the cross-divisional harmonization of
IT and OT roles at Bayer. A major success factor here was the early involvement
of stakeholders and in turn, the related acceptance of the approach throughout
the entire company. A governance body was created in order to ensure the
company-wide management of organizational and technological aspects. In
the future, this should provide the necessary transparency for all of the produc-
tion-related digitalization projects that are cross-divisional and cross-functional.
UNITY Project Manager: Tim Meisen
21CONSISTENT DIGITALIZATION OF THE SUPPLY
CHAIN FOR MATTRESS PRODUCTION
Expanded Quadrupled
customer access production capacity Open-source
through with factory ERP “ODOO”
distribution sales planning and efficiently
on digital process introduced
platforms optimization
Bönning & Sommer, a midsize company and mattress manufacturer, has recog-
nized the signs of the times and, with the support of UNITY, has consistently used
the opportunities offered by digitalization. The company decided to make both
its business model and business processes digital: Bönning & Sommer assumed
the strategy of only supplying online shops, and made a change from ware-
house production to purely order-related production − and generated enormous
growth with this move. In order to be able to maintain the short-term delivery
promises of the online shops to their customers, UNITY introduced the open
source ERP system ODOO together with a software service provider. The agile
implementation in sprints proved to be very efficient and successful. The smooth
ERP implementation that took place within four days prompted the managing
directors, Martin and Tobias Sommer, to found the start-up company “Cube 48.”
This offers midsize companies fast and efficient software solutions based on
ODOO, the open source ERP system. The mattress manufacturer’s commitment
to digitalization is also visible at first glance on site: Every workstation has a ter-
minal and the entire company functions “paperless.” Growth was also secured
by investing in the expansion of the building. UNITY handled the digital factory
planning and optimized order processing. This ensured a massive increase in
sales.
UNITY Project Manager: Kai BätgeBÖNNING &
SOMMER
Bönning & Sommer, a midsized mat-
tress manufacturer from East Westpha-
lia, has 80 employees and produces
mattresses very efficiently for online
business. Make to order production
is continuously supported by a digital
flow of information from the retailer‘s
online shop to delivery at end customer.
„UNITY has made a significant contribution to our Digital Transformation.
Although I was originally very skeptical as to whether UNITY could provide
value-creating advice to a small company, I am now very convinced of their
consultants’ in-depth expertise and impulses. Together, we have optimized
our processes, expanded our capacities and fully exploited the potentials of
digitalization.“
Tobias Sommer, Managing Director, Bönning & Sommer GmbH & Co. KG
23CONTINENTAL
Continental develops pioneering
technologies and services for the sus-
tainable and connected mobility of
people and their goods. Founded in
1871, the technology company offers
safe, efficient, intelligent and afford-
able solutions for vehicles, machines,
traffic and transport.
© Photo: Continental
”Together with UNITY, we were successful in developing processes that make
our logistics even more efficient. Important success factors were the OMEGA
process modeling method and the dynamic simulation. This enabled us to
design and verify a logistics concept that was perfectly tailored to our require-
ments and gave us the investment security we needed for our project.”
Dr. Dennis Fritsch, General Manager,
Continental Automotive Systems (Shanghai) Co.LOGISTICS AUTOMATION
Digitally ensured
Potential Developed
the logistics for
uncovered: significant increase
planned production
reduced inventory in efficiency
increase
As one of the world‘s largest corporations by revenue (Fortune Global 500),
Continental is a leading technology company. Founded in 2001, the facility in
Shanghai Jiading focuses on the future of autonomous driving. In order to meet
the requirements of rapidly growing global markets, it was necessary to expand
the existing plant.
At the same time, a high degree of automation for intralogistics needed to
be implemented. In order to accomplish this, UNITY tested all of the logistics
concepts that were developed, planned resources, and conducted inventory
and process improvements. Optimization solutions were derived from the poten-
tial bottlenecks that were identified. Automated technologies were applied in an
Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) that was planned for logistics,
resulting in an automated small-parts warehouse and transport systems between
production and warehouse. The planned processes, resources and automation
technologies were simulated for all of the logistics areas including: receiving,
storage, line feeding, packing, repacking and shipping. This ensured seamless
logistics processes with an increase in production and new products.
Based on this, specific technical requirements were developed in collaboration
with Continental for the tendering procedures of the individual technologies. The
simulation model was also prepared for further requirements in order to increase
the degree of automation for the logistics processes. This includes the planning
of future routes as well as AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles) planning.
25
UNITY Project Manager: Sebastian DannenbergCONCEPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION
OF A PLATFORM BUSINESS MODEL
Innovative Smart home
B2B platform
revenue sharing controller to
business model
model access platform
Digital transformation is also driving the change towards data-centric business
models. As a leading provider of smart home solutions, innogy also faced this
challenge. In order to reduce dependence on hardware sales, the company
developed a concept for a platform business model that allows for the sale of
services in addition to hardware. The initial B2C platform has been opened for
B2B partners, who can offer further services.
Together with UNITY, innogy developed the B2B extension for their platform
business model. UNITY’s role was to define service packages and determine
market prices for individual services. As a result, B2B partners can make their
devices smart without much effort through innogy’s smart home platform. At
the same time, the platform enables them to offer value-added services to their
end customers – without needing to produce own hardware. An innovative
revenue sharing model works as an incentive for all parties involved to expand
the platform. Based on this B2B concept, Innogy started an implementation
project to further expand the existing B2C platform and won its first partners to
test the platform business model. With the help of a comprehensive, integrat-
ed catalogue of requirements, UNITY ensured a long-term, sustainable solution
for continued platform development. Moreover, UNITY supported the project
management to initiate and establish a B2B partnership, paving the way for oth-
ers. In addition to implementing the platform business model, this included the
development of a new smart home controller (IoT Gateway) as a central access
point to the platform.
UNITY Project Managers: Jannis Reich and Lena VarnholtINNOGY
Innogy is an energy company that
supplies 16 million customers with
electricity and 6 million with gas in
ten European markets. Listed in the
MDAX®, Innogy has approx. 42,000
employees in 15 countries and gene-
rated sales of EUR 43 billion in 2017.
© Photo: innogy SE
“For the conception of the business model, UNITY was able to draw upon best
practices from different industries and a wealth of experience in terms of IoT
platforms, thereby designing a customized solution for innogy. Together, we
have created the foundation for the successive expansion of an ecosystem
that reaches beyond the boundaries of the smart home and allows the partic-
ipation for existing B2B partners from very different industries.”
Olaf Schindler, Head of Data Driven Business Models, innogy SE
27KLINIKUM
BRAUNSCHWEIG
Klinikum Braunschweig is a public
hospital that treats over 265,000
patients per year. It has over 1,499
hospital beds across three locations
with 21 clinics, ten clinical depart-
ments and seven institutes.
“By optimizing our intra-hospital patient transfers and digitalizing the process-
es that are thus required, we have made a significant step towards achieving
more efficiency. This project was particularly successful due to the excellent
project management provided by UNITY consultants. They managed all of
the stakeholders, recognized issues early on, and always took a solutions-ori-
ented approach.“
Dr. med. Andreas Goepfert, Managing Director, Klinikum BraunschweigSMART INTRA-HOSPITAL PATIENT TRANS-
FERS BY DIGITALIZING PROCESSES
Reduced staffing
Improved Significantly
costs by
punctuality reduced patient
approx. 15 %
by 20 % waiting times
per transfer
Patient logistics directly correlates to the most significant processes in a hospital
and therefore, has a direct influence on patient care and a hospital’s economic
feasibility. Klinikum Braunschweig relied upon UNITY’s expertise to optimize
its intra-hospital patient transfers. A transfer order is initiated, created and linked
to the scheduling system at the receiving location. First, the entire complex
scheduling process of the hospital was analyzed and improvement poten-
tials were identified. The organization’s complexity is due to the interfaces of
approximately 40 departments, four IT systems and various other stakehold-
ers. The future processes of patient transfers were developed based on modern
technologies and implemented through the involvement of software suppliers.
The transparent approach, the interdisciplinary project team and the opportu-
nity to incorporate their own ideas ensured the necessary acceptance in the
change process. The digitally supported process for scheduling appointments,
that is in many ways automated, provides the hospital with control based on key
figures which represents the foundation of digital patient management.
29
UNITY Project Manager: Svenja SkrzipaleWORLDWIDE PLM SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
Up to > 2 Mio. datasets
26 Involved
1,300 users for the
locations
worldwide data migration
The PLM system of Knorr-Bremse, Rail Vehicle Systems Division, has been an
integral part of the organization for many years and represents a significant
lifeline for the company. It supports the systems development and the product
development in the R&D departments, and supplies numerous worldwide
business areas with product information. Knorr-Bremse began to design a new,
globally harmonized PLM solution in 2016. In 2017, UNITY was tasked with
supporting the implementation project in all phases up to the worldwide rollout.
Thereby, UNITY supports the project coordination team by helping them manage
the project. Knorr-Bremse also benefits from the conception and implementation
of important communication and change management issues based on UNITY’s
experience and methods. With their expertise in solution design, UNITY consul-
tants also ensured that the right requirements could be defined together with the
IT and business divisions for system configuration and harmonized processes.
The cooperation between IT, business divisions and the system supplier is of
particular importance for a successful project. In October 2018, the second
major “go-live” was successfully completed with the release of “Broad Peak.”
Based on the process analyses that were conducted by UNITY, the team is
now beginning the next phase to map further functionalities in the new system.
With UNITY’s support, this phase will take a partial agile approach and reach
completion by the end of 2019.
UNITY Project Manager: Markus J. KelchKNORR-BREMSE
Knorr-Bremse is a global market leader
for braking systems and a leading
supplier of other safety-critical rail
and commercial vehicle systems. For
more than 110 years, the company
has pioneered the development,
production, marketing and servicing
of state-of-the-art braking systems. In
2017, the Group generated sales
of EUR 6.15 billion (IFRS) and had
28,000 employees.
© Photo: Knorr-Bremse SFS GmbH
“The replacement of the worldwide PLM system at Knorr-Bremse is a topic that
will secure our future. UNITY‘s expertise is helping us handle the project in a
structured and efficient manner and provide us with innovative impulses on im-
portant issues. Technical expertise as well as advice in change management is
also very important to us. This enables us to receive continuous feedback from
the organization, make the right decisions and implement process and function
changes in a structured manner within the scope of system implementation.“
Alexander Seidenschwang, Vice President Center of Competence Hydraulics
and Program Manager Business for the PLM Replacement, 31
Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems GmbHMETTLER TOLEDO
METTLER TOLEDO is one of the
world‘s leading suppliers of precision
instruments and services for numerous
applications in research and develop-
ment, quality control, manufacturing,
logistics and retail. The company
provides solutions for its customers’
entire value chain.
“UNITY supported us from the beginning, starting with the very first idea, then
the implementation, and finally the start up a fully functional plant at our new
location in Tampa, Florida. The team collaboration was excellent. UNITY
works in a structured, professional and very integrative way. Their proposals
for new technologies, production systems and organizational development
were extremely valuable for our future production system.“
Simon Kirk, Head of Product Inspection Division, METTLER TOLEDODIGITAL FACTORY PLANNING
New
Optimized Optimized lead
220,000-sq-ft
production time time by over
production
by over 40 % 40 %
facility
METTLER TOLEDO relied on UNITY’s expertise from the very start in the planning
of a new production facility for its Product Inspection Division in Tampa, Florida.
First, the growth strategy and the strategic and planning parameters were
defined, upon which UNITY developed a new production concept together with
METTLER TOLEDO. This concept was marked, above all, by a significant increase
in the degree of automation as well as the change from production in assembly
bays to an assembly flow line. This resulted in significant improvements in the
production time, lead time and space efficiency.
The production concept served as the foundation for ‘inside-out’ layout
planning. Based on the target processes that were planned, UNITY worked
together with METTLER TOLEDO and the architect to design the layout and
the building in several iterations. UNITY also assisted in the on-going change
management during the construction phase with regard to both changes in the
building layouts as well as changes in the production concept, for example,
setting up and testing the new assembly concept in a pilot flow line. Upon mov-
ing into the new building, UNITY provided immediate support during the hyper-
care phase. The objective was to establish and stabilize these new processes in
this new environment. In the context of continuous improvements, the production
concept and layout were continuously optimized and the successful ramp-up
was ensured in the new factory.
33
UNITY Project Manager: Marian KühlSCENARIOS FOR STRATEGIC
ORIENTATION OF INNOVATION
MANAGEMENT
3 Scenarios for 11 Strategic
9 Specific
value creation innovation areas
business model
in the for new business
ideas
FMCG industry potentials
Market mechanisms change extremely fast in the B2C business. In addition to
having the ability to anticipate trends in design, taste and packaging, Melitta
also wants to actively shape value creation within the FMCG (Fast Moving Con-
sumer Goods) industry through strategic and long-term foresight.
Along the entire value chain – from production, logistics, point of sale, to prod-
uct and consumer behavior – UNITY created alternative future scenarios with
Melitta‘s innovation department and its internal experts from strategy and
digitalization. B2B and B2C trends were compiled into alternative projections.
Customer requirements for products and services were then collected in the
form of persona profiles. Furthermore, customer journeys address changes in the
context of Smart Home, POS and digital products. Based on these future market
mechanisms and success factors, UNITY detailed eleven strategically relevant
innovation fields for Melitta. Building upon these, the project team developed
new business model ideas in the scope of design thinking approaches which will
now be transferred to the internal innovation mechanisms.
Simultaneously, the scenarios form the basis for strategic robustness checks of
current business models within the Melitta Group in order to create awareness
for change phenomena across business areas and departments. Parallel to this
pilot project, Melitta’s innovation department was empowered to develop its
strategic innovation management methods by using the scenario technique.
Thus, Melitta is not only able to use the scenario content as a basis for inno-
vation, but was also enabled to apply the method itself and transfer it to other
subject areas.
UNITY Project Manager: Aileen SchmuckMELITTA
The internationally operating and
family-owned Melitta Group can look
back on over 100 years of tradition.
It offers branded products for coffee
and tea enjoyment, coffee prepara-
tion and the household. In addition,
it produces special-grade papers
and packaging films for industrial
manufacturers.
“UNITY systematically led us to future scenarios in order to challenge existing
presumptions and reveal alternative developments. In doing so, we were
able to identify new business potentials, while we plan to utilize the scenario
technique in other departments.”
René Korte, Head of Corporate Innovation Management, Melitta Group
35
2FRITSCH
FRITSCH – for decades, this name
has been synonymous in the world of
baking engineering and technology
with high-quality, efficient lines and
pioneering innovation within the sector
of dough sheeting and processing.
As a family-owned company that was
founded in 1926, FRITSCH’s machines
are used worldwide to produce
premium bakery products.
© Photo: Fritsch Group
“Digitalization is also opening up possibilities in the baking industry to
develop new services that will provide tangible added-value to the producers
of baked goods. In time for the iba 2018, a leading industry trade fair, we
implemented our first two intelligent services using an agile development
process, together with the UNITY Innovation Alliance. The capability that is
now possible for the real-time monitoring of production and machine status
was extremely well received by our customers.”
Anna-Maria Fritsch, Head of Marketing, Fritsch GroupDEVELOPMENT OF INTELLIGENT
DATA-BASED SERVICES
A UNITY INNOVATION ALLIANCE PROJECT
2 Data-based Innovation award
Service roadmap
services from leading
2022 developed
implemented industry trade fair
As a multiple winner of the iba award for innovative hardware developments in
bakery engineering and technology, FRITSCH has earned a position as an inno-
vation leader in the industry. In the future, the topic of digitalization will also be
increasingly prevalent in the production systems offered by FRITSCH. Therefore,
their customers will be provided with more advantages, such as system availablity,
product quality and user support.
FRITSCH was supported by a project team from the UNITY Innovation Alliance in
the development of an intelligent service portfolio. While UNITY was more involved
in defining the service portfolio, determining the service strategy and customer
testing, Smart Mechatronics applied their expertise in equipping the system with
the required sensors. NEXT Data Service was brought into the project at an early
stage in order to detail the services, analyze the data and finally, to develop
two MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) in a portfolio that was introduced at the
industry trade fair, iba 2018. The success of this project was ensured by the
close and integrative cooperation of the UNITY Innovation Alliance with their
customer and the comprehensive competence that resulted from it – from strategy
development and product understanding to implementation. Thus, FRITSCH won
the iba award once again this year – however, not for a hardware-based solution,
but for the first time, for software-based digital services.
CONSULTING & INNOVATION
Management
Consulting
Data Service
Development
INNOVATION
ALLIANCE
Product sof tware . hardware . produktion . Project Manager:
Development
Intelligent UNITY/NEXT: René Störmer
Electronics
Smart Mechatronics: Frank Grieshaber 37What our customers
say about us...
Operating Room Simulation
Dr. Peter Eichenberger,
Director St. Claraspital, Basel
“Together with the users, UNITY experts have cre-
ated the foundation for a future-oriented OR op-
Excellent Work: eration. By using the simulation, the modeled OR
Digitalization of the Value Chain operation could be verified by testing stresses re-
Ilse Henne, CEO, siliently and the potential for development could
thyssenkrupp Schulte be demonstrated.“
“With UNITY, we introduced digitalization technol-
ogies along the entire value chain that have had
positive effects on customer satisfaction and effi-
ciency. We are extremely satisfied with UNITY‘s Scenario-based Portfolio
approach and, of course, with the Management
project results! UNITY rightfully Dr. Ilinka Kajgana, Head of
received the “Best of Consulting“ Strategic Risk Management, Erste
award from Wirtschaftswoche in Bank der oesterreichischen
the digitalization category for this Sparkassen AG
project. We offer our sincerest
congratulations to UNITY.“ “Together with UNITY, we have developed an inte-
grated mechanism that systemizes the assessment
of future robustness of financing projects. The
innovative way of working and the consistent
involvement of the most diverse areas of expertise
was of particular importance to us.”Digital Reference Architecture Digitalization of the Product
Dr. Henning Krüger, Development Process
CIO, Lufthansa Technik Dirk Spindler, Senior Vice President
R&D Processes, Methods and
“UNITY‘s industry expertise helped us develop a Tools, Schaeffler AG
digital reference architecture. This architecture
will serve as a blueprint for future capabilities “UNITY supports us in the digitalization of our prod-
and systems so that we can grow Lufthansa Tech- uct development process: from the conception
nik‘s business in a digital ecosystem.“ of the IT architecture to the creation of business
cases, and consulting in agile project manage-
ment methods to the development of augmented
reality applications. We appreciate the quality
of the results and, above all, the way we work
together.“
Digital Parts History in Purchasing
Alexander Scholz,
Head of Project Management
Department, BMW
“UNITY supported our project with methodologi-
cal competence and excellent technical know-
how. By coaching and professionally managing Doubled the Productivity
the IT service provider, UNITY successfully drove Dirk Hoffmann,
the agile development of our platform forward. CEO, V-ZUG AG
UNITY is fluent in various areas of expertise as
well as IT development, and thus made a signifi- “UNITY‘s project results have exceeded my
cant contribution to the success of our project by expectations. The concept realizes my vision for
acting as a link between both worlds.” V-ZUG.“
39It’s people that make a difference – even in the digital age 41
Correctly positioned for digital transformation
CORPORATE CULTURE AND LEADERSHIP
In addition to many technological innovations, a change in leadership and culture
is a key prerequisite for successful digital transformation in companies. Digitali-
zation always affects the entire organization. The rigid methods of management
that used to be common and the strict separation of tasks and responsibilities
according to individual departments are no longer current. Within the framework
of a New Work concept, traditional organizational models must be replaced by
networked teams. UNITY has been organized in a matrix for over 20 years. This
structure enables us to work together agilely and effectively.
Culture
The organizational structure has a significant influence on the corporate culture.
This is a central factor for the performance of the entire company. Particularly in
the digital age, where interdisciplinary cooperation is more important than ever,
an open corporate culture that is based on trust is essential for success. The UNITY
culture is characterized by value, collegiality and friendly interaction. Our high
performance is closely linked to a distinct team spirit – this is what distinguishes
the UNITY Spirit!
Leadership
The corporate culture also requires a corresponding management culture. In terms
of digital change, it is important to work together trustingly, empower employees
and give them the freedom they need to fully develop their skills. It is also the
managers’ task to create understanding for new technologies and involve em-
ployees in the upcoming changes. Leadership credibility and trustworthiness are
essential here. These aspects are reflected in UNITY‘s leadership principles.
“Value creation through appreciation“ is our maxim.
43We empower our
employees and
customers
Find out more about
training opportunities at the
UNITYacademy:UNITYacademy
Competence Development for Digital Transforma- products, services and processes and learn how
tion to build and use Digital Business Backbone PLM
Qualified employees determine the success of a in a future-oriented way. This program was devel-
company. This applies to both our customers and oped in cooperation with the Fraunhofer IEM in
UNITY itself. At the UNITYacademy, we not only Paderborn.
impart knowledge, but also enable our customers
and employees to meet the challenges of digital Systems Engineering (SE) – Product & Service
change successfully through practice-oriented Development in the Digital Age
training courses. UNITY is licensed by the Society of Systems
Engineering (GfSE) as a partner for systems engi-
Digital X − Our Holistic Approach neering certification, making it one of only three
Digital X is a unique training program that teaches training providers in Germany for the renowned
all the competencies that are necessary to SE-ZERT® training program. In addition to certi-
design a digital business. In our training cours- fication preparation, we offer a comprehensive
es, we certify participants in becoming digital training program − from an orientation workshop
transformation experts. A deeper understanding to intensive training and a step-by-step training
of all of the course contents is achieved through program.
practical exercises and excursions to companies.
Beyond the basic program, we also offer training Agile Project Management
programs to deepen your knowledge in areas Shorter product cycles, faster innovation speeds
such as PLM, systems engineering and agile and the rapid change of customer segments
project management. motivate the application of new, agile methods.
Based on software engineering methods, this
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) – Your Path training course teaches approaches and meth-
to Shaping Digital Business ods that increase flexibility and speed in proj-
This intensive and practice-oriented training pro- ects. Practical agile fundamentals are taught as
gram imparts the competencies for designing well as methods and frameworks that are help-
PLM processes and systems in the age of digitali- ful in daily project work. Accelerate deadlocked
zation. Participants gain an understanding for the projects and motivate the team.
needs that emerge from future business models, 45An employer for makers and doers ACHIEVING SUCCESS TOGETHER More than just a Job Individuality Not only do we provide the best conditions for a We are unique. We create diversity through the successful future, we also offer a unique culture ideas, experiences and passions of each individ- that has a sense of community. Trust, apprecia- ual. The more diversity we have, the more suc- tion, openness and cooperation – we practice cessful we are as a team, and the faster we can what we value. enable change. Shape the Future, Provide Impulses Work Life Balance Our dynamic structures offer our employees the Whether it is family, professional development creative freedom that they need to do innova- or recreational activities – we support our em- tive and future-oriented work. This allows them ployees in the integration of personal and career to grow and develop in exciting projects and goals through flexibility and modern working create future-oriented solutions together with our arrangements. We know that top performance is customers. based on good working conditions. Making Progress Together Our strength lies in our employees. This is why we promote the personal development of each individual through customized training and pro- fessional development programs offered by the UNITYacademy. In addition, our employees are provided with a diverse range of opportunities – through challenging projects, working abroad or individual careers.
Future-oriented Projects
“I joined UNITY two years ago as an astrophysicist with experience in the
automotive industry. As a manager, I lead exciting digitalization projects in
various industries. It is very enriching to work on future-oriented topics and
help shape them for our customers. In addition to the challenging projects,
I appreciate the corporate culture at UNITY as well as the opportunity to
balance family and career.“
Philip Hultzsch, Team Leader
Digitalization up close
“I joined UNITY in 2005. Today I am responsible for major digitalization
and transformation projects for well-known customers. UNITY has made
incredible strides in development. Exciting challenges, a professional ap-
proach and a friendly corporate culture are great conditions to help shape
the future growth path.“
Christian Leutnant, Principal
Trust and Flexibility
“I have been with UNITY for ten years now − first as a consultant, then as a
team leader and today as the head of a business area. I really appreciate
the fact that from the very beginning, I was allowed to take on responsibility.
Despite the tasks and responsibilities that come along with being a part of
the management team, I still find enough time for family life with my two
and a half year old daughter. UNITY gives me the trust I need and offers
me maximum flexibility.“
Katharina Pierschalik, Head of Business Area
Future-proof & Sustainable Corporate Policy
“Management consulting is also possible without a culture of ‘up-or-out,‘
rival competition or profit focused greed. Models of flextime for work hours,
home office or sabbaticals can also be a standard practice. This is demon-
strated by UNITY‘s long-term corporate policy, which actively relieves and
supports employees, thus binding them for the long term. Together with
new impulses in the projects, UNITY offers me the most optimal workplace.“
Maximilian Straube, Senior Consultant
Creative Freedom and Social Responsibility
“At UNITY, I get to know many companies and the many different challeng-
es they face. I work with them to make structured improvements and UNITY
offers me a lot of creative freedom. In addition to advising our clients, I
also assume social responsibility by applying the methods I have learned
in volunteer work for a non-profit organization in Hamburg.“
Maria Würfel, Consultant 47UNITY WORLDWIDE
The executive board and partners assume the strategic leadership of UNITY together. Their goal is to
continue to drive the course of growth. Our partners are:
Thilo Böhm Magnus Meier
Partner, Partner,
Head of Business Area Industry Head of Business Area Automotive
Dr. Ulrich Deppe
Partner, Dr.-Ing. Daniel Steffen
Head of Competence Center Partner,
“Product & Service Innovation“ Senior Manager “Product &
Service Innovation“
Christian Grotebrune
Partner,
Thomas Ulrich
Head of Business Area
Partner,
Family-owned Companies & SMEs
Senior Manager
“Smart Factory & Logistics,“
Managing Director UNITY China
Dr. Michael Herbst
Partner,
Head of Business Area Industry
Teja Washausen
Partner,
Head of Competence Center
Xiaolong Hu “Smart Factory & Logistics“
Partner,
Managing Director UNITY China
Philipp Wibbing
Heiko Janssen Partner,
Partner, Head of Business Area Automotive,
Head of Competence Center Managing Director UNITY China
“Digitalization & Technology“
Markus Knobel
Michael Wolf
Partner,
Partner,
Senior Manager
Head of Business Area Industry
“Smart Factory & Logistics“Subsidiaries Project Locations
We work together with the managing directors of the UNITY subsidiaries in China, Brazil, Egypt/MENA,
Austria and Switzerland to constantly grow our business.
SWITZERLAND AND AUSTRIA CHINA
Since we established our subsidiary in Switzer- The technology-oriented management approach-
land in 2004, the business and its team have es from Germany are in great demand by our
expanded and grown continuously. Today, it is a customers in China. We support many of our
significant pillar for UNITY and is managed by European customers in getting started in China.
Nicolina Litschgi. We have been serving the Aus- UNITY has been present in China since 2014 with
trian market from our subsidiary in Vienna since subsidiaries in Shanghai and Beijing. The business
2008. The managing director of UNITY Austria is in China is managed by Xiaolong Hu, Thomas
Christoph Plass. Ulrich and Philipp Wibbing.
EGYPT/MENA REGION BRAZIL
The UNITY subsidiary in Cairo is located in the In 2014, UNITY expanded to South America and
center of the Middle East/North Africa (MENA). opened a local office in São Paulo. We consult
In this region marked by structural changes, we our core European customers that have facilities
have offered UNITY’s full range of services since in South America as well as regional companies.
2003. Ahmed Aglan manages the business here. Cai Alexander von Igel is the managing director
in Brazil.
49Consulting 4.0 – digitalization of UNITY methods
UNITY CONSULTING INTEGRATION PLATFORM
The UNITY Consulting Integration Platform (UCIP) sentation of the data. This reduces redundant data
is the consistent digitalization and integration of storage and avoids information silos. In addition
UNITY consulting methods and thus the answer to to handling projects more efficiently, UCIP enables
even more complex projects that have significantly project results to be shared easily both internally and
increasing volumes of data. UCIP offers digital externally when working with customers. UCIP
support for consultants in their everyday project also consistently supports the collaboration of the
work and makes the manual administration and UNITY project team with the customer, thus pro-
synchronization of Excel lists, PowerPoint presen- moting transparency in day-to-day project work.
tations and Word documents a thing of the past. A major benefit of the modular, data-driven
UCIP provides consultants with a digital project architecture concept is the intelligent analysis of
space in which the building blocks required for project results. This enables UNITY to build knowl-
a project can be opened and edited. This allows edge effectively from available data that is relevant
the project to be edited effectively through an to consulting. UNITY customers can, for example,
efficient process. UCIP is networked with exist- be provided with comprehensive benchmarking
ing IT systems and separates the analysis and for the development of their own strategies, pro-
management of project-specific data from the pre- cesses and architectures.
UNITY METHODS AND CONSULTING PRODUCTS
UNITY
UNITY UNITY
BUSINESS
TECHNOLOGIE TECHNOLOGY
MODEL
RADAR RADAR
INNOVATOR
MBSE Agile @ 51
INNOVATION SCRUMUNITY BETEILIGUNGS AG AND COMPANY BUILDER
Digitalization is changing the structures of value market. We act individually as an incubator, con-
creation. This is creating many opportunities for sultant, partner or investor. The services offered
new business models. With the UNITY Beteiligu- by the Company Builder of the UNITY Beteiligu-
ngs AG, we support start-ups in the digital age. ngs AG support companies from their founding
Based on our experience, we are able to seize through various growth phases, and up to the exit.
opportunities and reduce barriers to entering the
Find out more about the UNITY Beteiligungs AG
and the Company Builder.OUR PARTNER NETWORK
In the context of digital transformation, UNITY customers profit not only from the experience and expertise
of our consultants, but also from our extensive partner network. This includes research institutes, universi-
ties, companies and associations that are taking on and making progress in digitalization. Here are some
highlights of this work:
UNITY works in the thematic networks of product Sven-Olaf Schulze, Senior Manager at UNITY, has
development and production, information and been the Chairman of the Board for the Society
communications technology and mobility. Prof. of Systems Engineering since 2009. Since then,
Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Gausemeier is the Vice President both the number of members as well as corporate
and Dr.-Ing. Frank Thielemann is a member of members have quadrupled.
the senate.
We currently work in close cooperation with As a member of IDSA, UNITY advocates interna-
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Gausemeier (HNI) and Prof. tional standards in the context of industrial data
Dr.-Ing. Roman Dumitrescu (Fraunhofer IEM) on space and promotes certifiable software solutions
topics regarding strategic product planning and and business models.
advanced systems engineering.
UNITY is involved as a core company of the lead- As a member of the work group “Digital Business
ing-edge cluster ‘Intelligent Technical Systems Ost- Models in Industrie 4.0,” UNITY utilizes its exper-
WestfalenLippe‘, which is the nationwide flagship tise to rethink value creation by using specific use
project of the Federal Ministry of Education and cases.
Research.
Philipp Wibbing, Partner at UNITY, was voted into With €1.3 million, UNITY is one of the largest fi-
the executive board of prostep ivip e.V. Its goal is nanciers of the Technolgoy Fund OWL which sup-
to develop standards for product data manage- ports and promotes start ups. Tomas Pfänder, a
ment and virtual product development. member of the UNITY executive board, is a mem-
ber of the investment committee.
Carsten Matysczok, Senior Expert at UNITY, has The “Zentrum für Innovationen in der Gesund-
been appointed Chairman of the VDI Digital Fac- heitswirtschaft OWL” (Center for Innovation in
tory´s Technical Committee. In this position, he is Healthcare OWL) aims to promote innovation and
also a member of the VDI’s interdisciplinary Digi- strengthen the economy and employment in the 53
tal Transformation Committee. sector.UNITY TAKES RESPONSIBILITY We are aware of our responsibility to our cus- and employee rights. We also support various tomers, partners and employees. As a guideline aid programs and we are involved with different for our actions, the UNITY Code of Conduct associations and teams, invest in sustainable ed- sets binding standards for responsible conduct ucation and support the community and sports. towards business partners and the general pub- In UNITY’s Challenger program, we help young lic, as well as within the company, such as com- adults to attain their ambitious goals – not just pliance with internationally recognized human financially.
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